Illegal trade in tissues of the deceased exposed in Bukovyna

Law enforcement officers have exposed a scheme of illegal trade in anatomical materials of the deceased in Bukovyna. According to the investigation, it was organized by officials of the Chernivtsi Regional Pathological Bureau, who extracted tissues from the bodies of the deceased and transferred them to enterprises that manufacture biological implants.

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported this on August 28 reported. Four bureau employees were detained and notified of suspicion.

The investigation alleges that each participant in the scheme performed a separate function—from communicating with relatives of the deceased and preparing documents to directly extracting tissues and delivering them to customers.

What was extracted from the bodies of the deceased

According to the prosecutor's office, the materials included skin, bones, tendons, corneas, and other anatomical materials. They were subsequently sold to enterprises that produce bioimplants for surgery and dentistry.

The pathological bureau did not have a license for medical practice in the field of transplantation. To conceal the nature of the activity, cooperation with recipient enterprises was, according to the investigation, formalized through fictitious contracts on "scientific and medical cooperation".

The transfer of tissues was documented as the supply of raw materials for the production of bioimplants. With some clients, as law enforcement officers claim, work was carried out without any contracts at all.

Relatives might not have known about the extent of extraction

According to the investigation, relatives of the deceased were persuaded to consent to procedures by offering free embalming, body storage, or discounts on other services.

However, the prosecutor's office asserts that people did not receive full information about which materials and in what volume would be extracted, nor about the fact that the tissues would subsequently be sold.

Law enforcement officers also documented cases where relatives refused to give consent, but anatomical materials were, according to the investigation, still extracted.

In another episode, consent was allegedly obtained from an employee of a geriatric boarding house who cared for the deceased person. However, the funeral arrangements were handled by relatives, who were not asked for permission.

Biomaterials were sent by trains

The extracted materials were delivered to recipients by rail in special containers with refrigerant. Investigators, in particular, recorded the transfer of ten boxes of biomaterials, as well as the shipment of corneas by train from Chernivtsi to Odesa.

Official payments for such operations were credited to the account of the pathological bureau under acceptance certificates for services. At the same time, according to the prosecutor's office, the scheme participants received unaccounted cash monthly through currency exchange points and distributed it among themselves depending on their role and the amount of extracted materials.

Four employees of the Chernivtsi Regional Pathological Bureau were notified of suspicion of illegal trade in human anatomical materials, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons. Searches were conducted at the institution's premises, in vehicles, and at the residences of the suspects.

The investigation is ongoing. In accordance with the law, the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.